ANTIGO YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
FAIR ICE POLICY
Adopted 9/06
The AAYHA supports fair ice time for all players. Coaches are encouraged to
use their best efforts to give ice time fairly.
Meaning of “Fair Ice”
“Fair ice” does not mean “equal ice” in each game. The flow of the game, penalties,
power play’s and penalty killing may occasionally result in unequal playing times in a
particular game. In addition, some teams may carry two lines of defense and three
lines of forwards that will obviously result in different playing times between
defensemen and forwards. Further, coaches may choose to use certain players during
the last few minutes of a close game to give the team its best chance to win. This could
result in some players finishing the game with more ice time than other players. On
the other hand, coaches are encouraged to fully use all players. Use of all players in
“specialty” situations (e.g. power play’s, penalty killing, etc.) develops AAYHA
players and is strongly encouraged. For these reasons, ice time may not be equal in
each and every game, but should be roughly equal over the course of the season.
Level of Play:
The level that a team plays may also have an impact upon playing time. “Mite” level
teams should have nearly equal ice times among all players. On the other hand,
“Midget” level teams may be in more games where ice times differs among players
and may require the stronger players on the ice more at end of some
games. However, even among the older teams, the goal remains to give all players
roughly equal amount of ice and a variety of game experiences, taking into account
the competitive nature of play.
Motivation/Discipline:
Motivation and discipline may also affect ice time. Coaches may use a player’s ice
time as a motivation/disciplinary tool, either for violations of team rules, repeated
failures to follow directions or lack of “hustle” during a game. When this occurs, the
coach should explain to the player how he/she failed to meet the coach’s expectations
and the impact that this will have on the player’s ice time. As is always the case,
motivational/disciplinary actions should be applied consistently and without reward
to the perceived “importance” of a player to a team. A coach at his or her discretion
may suspend a player for up to one game. However, any such disciplinary action by
the coach beyond one game must be approved by the AAYHA board.
Goalies
In general, the “fair ice” policy applies to goalies. However, it is left to the coaches to
decide how to rotate goalies on teams with more than one. Coaches may choose to
play both goalies in one game. The coach may also choose to play goalies game-bygame. In the latter situations, coaches are not required to play goalies in alternating
games. Coaches may choose to play a goalie in consecutive games so long as the
games played during the course of the season roughly even out between the
goalies. This is not considered disciplinary action, as discussed above, and will not
normally involve the AAYHA Board.
Policy Discussion:
The AAYHA purpose is to promote the enjoyment, recreational and competitive
benefits of youth hockey. It is also our organization’s goal to develop hockey
players. We believe that these goals are best accomplished with a “fair ice” policy.
The AAYHA have teams at varying levels within each age group. The team selection
process is intended to place players on teams appropriate for the skill levels and with
players of roughly equal capabilities. If a player is good enough to be selected for a
particular AAYHA team, then that player is generally good enough to receive a fair
share of ice time on that team.
“Fair ice” time should not be confused with “equal ice” time Coaches are not
expected to “count minutes” during a game to ensure equal ice time for all
players. Coaches are generally expected to run through their lines in a consistent
manner. The flow of a game may cause some lines to play longer shifts on
occasion. Further, penalties, power plays and penalty killing may impact ice
time. However, these factors should tend to even out during the course of the season.
While the AAYHA do not believe in a “win-at-all cost” approach winning is
important to the organization, the team and the players. Further, each player on a
team has strengths and weaknesses. For that reason, coaches may choose to use the
players who give the team the best chance to win in the last few minutes of the
game. This decision should not be automatic and should be based upon particular
game situations. For example, if a team is ahead by a goal with two minutes to play,
the coach may decide to put his/her better defensive players on the ice. In the next
game, if the team is behind by a goal in the last two minutes of play, the coach may
decide to put his/her better offensive players into the game. However, in the end, the
decision is left to the coach following the guidelines of this policy.
Different levels of play require different views of what constitutes “fair ice.” As
general rule, the younger the players, the less reason there is for differences in ice
time. At older levels, there may be more game situations requiring certain players to
be on the ice more of the time in some games. All coaches, players and parent’s want
their team’s to win. However, this must be balanced with goal of developing hockey
players.
Ice time is often a great motivator for players. Coaches are free to fairly use ice time
as motivational/disciplinary tool for their players. Sitting a shift, a period or even a
game is within the coach’s discretion. The reason for the action and the coach’s
expectations should be explained to the player at that time. However, use of loss of
playing time as a motivational/disciplinary tool should be applied fairly and
consistently. Repetitive problems and resulting loss of ice time should be discussed
with the parents. However, any loss of ice time beyond one entire game indicates a
more serious problem. AAYHA policy requires that any suspension of a player by a
coach longer than one game must be approved by the AAYHA board.
It should also be noted that playing time for goalies is obviously different from
“skaters”. Coaches sometimes split a game between goalies. Coaches sometimes play
goalies in alternating games. Some coaches play the less experienced goalie against
weaker teams. It is up to the coach to decide the proper goalie rotation. However, the
concept of “fair ice” still applies to goalies. Coaches should still attempt to balance
out the playing time between the goalies. Goalies may miss consecutive games
without it being considered a “suspension.” On the other hand, goalies are subject to
disciplinary and motivational actions as well. If a goalie does miss more than one
game as a result of such action by the coach, AAYHA board approval is still required.